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Numbers 15:34 and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 15:34 and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/15-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/04_Num_15_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 15:34 - A Sabbath-Breaker Stoned" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/15-33.htm" title="Numbers 15:33">◄</a> Numbers 15:34 <a href="/numbers/15-35.htm" title="Numbers 15:35">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />and they kept him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They held him in custody because they did not know what to do with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they placed him in custody, because it had not been decided what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and they put him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and they put him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and they put him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and they put him in custody, because it had not been explained [by God] what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They placed him in custody because it had not been decided what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They placed him in custody because it had not been decided what should be done to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they put him in ward, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But no one knew what to do with him, so he was not allowed to leave. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they put him in ward, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They kept him in custody until they decided what to do with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and was put under guard, because it was not clear what should be done with him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then they confined him until it could be declared what should be done to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They put him in custody, because there was no clear instruction about what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they put him in custody, because it was not declared what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they place him in confinement, for it [is] not explained what is [to be] done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they place him in ward, for it is not explained what is to be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will put him in watch, for it was not specified what shall be done to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they put him into prison, not knowing what they should do with him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they enclosed him in a prison, not knowing what they should do with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But they put him in custody, for there was no clear decision as to what should be done with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They put him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they put him in prison, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they shut him in a guard house because it had not yet been explained what should be done to him.’”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they put him in ward, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they placed him in custody, for they did not determine what they should do to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/15-34.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=4964" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/15.htm">A Sabbath-Breaker Stoned</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">33</span>Those who found the man gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation, <span class="reftext">34</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">and because</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">it had not been</a> <a href="/hebrew/6567.htm" title="6567: p̄ō·raš (V-Pual-Perf-3ms) -- To make distinct, declare. A primitive root; to separate, literally or figuratively; also to wound.">declared</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">what</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: yê·‘ā·śeh (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">should be done</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">to him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5117.htm" title="5117: way·yan·nî·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To rest, i.e. settle down">they placed</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/4929.htm" title="4929: bam·miš·mār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance. From shamar; a guard; a deposit; also a usage, or an example.">in custody.</a> </span><span class="reftext">35</span>And the LORD said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death. The whole congregation is to stone him outside the camp.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/31-14.htm">Exodus 31:14-15</a></span><br />Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from among his people. / For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/35-2.htm">Exodus 35:2-3</a></span><br />For six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death. / Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/24-12.htm">Leviticus 24:12</a></span><br />They placed him in custody until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-12.htm">Deuteronomy 5:12-15</a></span><br />Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-15.htm">Nehemiah 13:15-18</a></span><br />In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day. / Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem. / Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-21.htm">Jeremiah 17:21-27</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. / You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers. / Yet they would not listen or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and would not listen or receive My discipline. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-12.htm">Ezekiel 20:12-13</a></span><br />I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them. / Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-2.htm">Isaiah 56:2</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Matthew 12:1-8</a></span><br />At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. / When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/2-23.htm">Mark 2:23-28</a></span><br />One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain as they walked along. / So the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” / Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-1.htm">Luke 6:1-5</a></span><br />One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain, rub them in their hands, and eat them. / But some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-9.htm">John 5:9-18</a></span><br />Immediately the man was made well, and he picked up his mat and began to walk. Now this happened on the Sabbath day, / so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “This is the Sabbath! It is unlawful for you to carry your mat.” / But he answered, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-22.htm">John 7:22-23</a></span><br />But because Moses gave you circumcision, you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath (not that it is from Moses, but from the patriarchs.) / If a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses will not be broken, why are you angry with Me for making the whole man well on the Sabbath?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-10.htm">Acts 15:10</a></span><br />Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-5.htm">Romans 14:5</a></span><br />One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/24-12.htm">Leviticus 24:12</a></b></br> And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/14-18.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/numbers/3-36.htm">Custody</a> <a href="/numbers/14-17.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/numbers/9-8.htm">Directions</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-3.htm">Explained</a> <a href="/numbers/11-17.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/genesis/25-27.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/numbers/12-15.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-12.htm">Ward</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/22-4.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-3.htm">Custody</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-13.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/numbers/29-40.htm">Directions</a> <a href="/judges/14-17.htm">Explained</a> <a href="/numbers/17-10.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-1.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/numbers/16-33.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-3.htm">Ward</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/15-1.htm">The law of the meat offering, and the drink offering</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/15-14.htm">The stranger is under the same law</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/15-17.htm">The law of the first of the dough</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/15-22.htm">The sacrifice for sins of ignorance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/15-30.htm">The punishment of presumption</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/15-32.htm">He who violated the Sabbath is stoned</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/15-37.htm">The law of tassels</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>and because it had not been declared what should be done to him</b><br>This phrase highlights the uncertainty faced by the Israelites regarding the appropriate punishment for the man who violated the Sabbath by gathering wood. The Mosaic Law, given at Mount Sinai, included the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy (<a href="/exodus/20-8.htm">Exodus 20:8-11</a>), but specific penalties for violations were not always detailed. This situation underscores the need for divine guidance in applying the law, reflecting the Israelites' dependence on God's direction. It also illustrates the developing nature of the legal system in ancient Israel, where precedents were being established. The lack of a declared punishment indicates the seriousness with which the community approached adherence to God's commandments, seeking clarity from God rather than acting on their own assumptions.<p><b>they placed him in custody</b><br>The act of placing the man in custody shows the community's respect for due process and the seriousness of the offense. In ancient Israel, custody was not a form of punishment but a temporary measure to ensure order while awaiting a decision from God or Moses. This reflects a judicial process that values deliberation and divine consultation. The Israelites' legal system was theocratic, meaning that God was the ultimate authority, and Moses, as God's appointed leader, was responsible for seeking His will. This incident foreshadows the New Testament principle of seeking God's wisdom in judgment (<a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a>). It also points to the role of Jesus Christ as the ultimate judge and lawgiver, who fulfills the law and provides clarity and grace in its application (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_man_gathering_sticks.htm">The Man Gathering Sticks</a></b><br>This individual was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath, an act that led to his being placed in custody. His actions prompted a need for clarification on the law regarding Sabbath observance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The community of God's chosen people, who were responsible for upholding the laws given to them by God through Moses.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who was responsible for seeking God's guidance on how to handle the situation.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting where the Israelites were journeying after their exodus from Egypt, a place of testing and learning God's laws.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sabbath.htm">The Sabbath</a></b><br>A holy day of rest commanded by God, which was central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>The incident underscores the necessity of adhering to God's commandments, even when the full implications are not immediately clear.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_guidance.htm">Seeking God's Guidance</a></b><br>When faced with uncertainty, the Israelites sought God's direction through Moses, illustrating the importance of seeking divine wisdom in our decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_the_sabbath.htm">The Sanctity of the Sabbath</a></b><br>The Sabbath was a sign of the covenant and a day set apart for rest and worship, reminding us of the need to prioritize spiritual rest and reflection in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The community's role in upholding God's laws shows the importance of accountability and collective responsibility in maintaining spiritual integrity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Moses' role in seeking God's will highlights the responsibility of leaders to guide their communities according to divine principles.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_edom's_fate_in_the_bible.htm">What fate awaits Edom according to biblical prophecies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_cultures_vary_on_the_afterlife.htm">Why do ancient cultures have different concepts of the afterlife?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_death_for_gathering_wood_on_sabbath.htm">Numbers 15:32–36: Why is gathering wood on the Sabbath punished by death, and how does this align with a just moral system today? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/will_edom's_pride_cause_its_downfall.htm">Will Edom's pride lead to its ultimate downfall?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 34.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They put him in ward,</span> (cf. <a href="/leviticus/24-12.htm">Leviticus 24:12</a>), <span class="cmt_word">because it was not declared what should be done to him.</span> This is perplexing, because the punishment of death had been decreed in <a href="/exodus/31-14.htm">Exodus 31:14, 15</a>, and Exodus 35:2. It seems an evasion to say that although death had been decreed, the mode of death had not been fixed; for <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> it was clearly part of the Divine answer that the offence was really capital (see verse 35 a), and <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> it was understood that in such cases death was to be inflicted by stoning (see <a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm">Leviticus 20:2</a>; <a href="/leviticus/24-14.htm">Leviticus 24:14</a>; <a href="/joshua/7-25.htm">Joshua 7:25</a>; in the last case the command was to bum the delinquents with fire, yet it was rightly taken for granted that they were to be stoned to death first). There are only two explanations which are satisfactory because they are honest. <p><span class="Text_Heading">1.</span> The incident may possibly have occurred between the first institution of the sabbath (<a href="/exodus/16-23.htm">Exodus 16:23, 29</a>) and the decree of death to those that broke it. There is nothing in the record as it stands here to contradict such an assumption. . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/15-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">and because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֚י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it had not been</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">declared</span><br /><span class="heb">פֹרַ֔שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ō·raš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6567.htm">Strong's 6567: </a> </span><span class="str2">To make distinct, declare</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">should be done</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(yê·‘ā·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">לֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">him,</span><br /><span class="heb">ס</span> <span class="translit">(s)</span><br /><span class="parse">Punctuation<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">they placed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּנִּ֥יחוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yan·nî·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3240.htm">Strong's 3240: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let alone remain, pacify, place, </span><br /><br /><span class="word">him in custody.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמִּשְׁמָ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(bam·miš·mār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4929.htm">Strong's 4929: </a> </span><span class="str2">Place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/15-34.htm">Numbers 15:34 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/15-34.htm">Numbers 15:34 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/15-34.htm">Numbers 15:34 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/15-34.htm">Numbers 15:34 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/15-34.htm">Numbers 15:34 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/15-34.htm">Numbers 15:34 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/15-34.htm">Numbers 15:34 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/15-34.htm">Numbers 15:34 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/15-34.htm">Numbers 15:34 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/15-34.htm">Numbers 15:34 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/15-34.htm">OT Law: Numbers 15:34 They put him in custody because it (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/15-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 15:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 15:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/15-35.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 15:35"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 15:35" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>